AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012 DWG Format

[#1]

I have a small LiSP routine I wrote about 14 years ago that no longer works. It is supposed to update a logo on a title block using the -insert command with a redefine option and a cancel

(command "-insert" "K:\\FORMATS\\LAYOUTS\\GSILOGO.dwg" "y" ^c)

When I run the routine I get an error message "Invalide block name" and it cancels the command without updating.

Yet, if I insert the same block through the insert dialog box it allows the file to be inserted.

Any ideas?

[#2]

Did you type it all out at the command line to test (instead of using something totally different like the pop-up)?

Testing is key. Seems to work fine here with my blocks/paths so you might be able to discover the problem manaully.

[#3]

From Help on the -INSERT command:

Updating a Block Definition:If you make changes to a block file that is inserted in your drawing and you want to change the existing block definition without creating a new block insertion, enter the following at the Specify Insertion Point prompt (following the Enter Block Name prompt):

block name=

Does that help?

[#4]

@ Dean:

Yes. That was the first thing I tried. When I type it at the command line, without quotes (K:\formats\layouts\gsilogo.dwg), it ignores the path and inserts the block that is already inserted in the drawing. When I type it with quotes ("K:\\formats\\layouts\\gsilogo.dwg") I get the invalid block error.

Thanks,

Scott

[#5]

Dean

I've attached a drawing that contains the block, and the block I want to replace it with. Perhaps you could test it on your end?

Thanks,

Scott

[#6]

I guess I wasn't specific enough.  You have to indicate the block name you're replacing, followed by an "=" and the pathname\filename of the dwg you want to replace it with.

The LISP would be thus:

(command "-insert" "myblockname=mypath\\mydwgname" "y" ^c)

[#7]

I understood what you said, and I tried it without success. I still got the invalid block name error message

[#8]

Please post the exact line of code you are trying without success.

[#9]

When I enter the following line at the command prompt it finds the correct block but doesn't ask if I want to redefine.

block name=k:\formats\layouts\gsilogo.dwg

When I enter the following line at the command prompt

block name=k:\formats\layouts\gsilogo.dwg =

I get the following error:

---------------------------
AutoCAD Message
---------------------------
"gsilogo.dwg =.dwg"
Can't find file in search path:
  C:\Documents and Settings\srestmeyer\My Documents\ (current directory)
  C:\LispTest\
  C:\Documents and Settings\srestmeyer\application data\autodesk\autocad mechanical 2010\r18.0\enu\support\
  C:\program files\autodesk\acadm 2010\support\
  C:\program files\autodesk\acadm 2010\fonts\
  C:\program files\autodesk\acadm 2010\help\
  C:\program files\autodesk\acadm 2010\express\
  C:\program files\autodesk\acadm 2010\support\color\
  C:\program files\autodesk\acadm 2010\custom\
  K:\formats\
  K:\tcfonts\
  C:\Program Files\Autodesk\ACADM 2010\drv\
  C:\Program Files\Autodesk\ACADM 2010\

The search list is my search path setting.

[#10 · Accepted solution]

I didn't see the exact line of code you have been trying in your last post, but here's the line of LISP code I think you would want to use:

(command "-insert" "gsilogo=k:\\formats\\layouts\\gsilogo" "y" ^c)

(When I tested it with your sample files it worked just fine.)

To the left of the "=" is the name of the block in the current drawing that you want to replace.

To the right of the "=" is the path and filename of the drawing you want to use to replace that block.  (You must use \\ instead of \ inside AutoLISP.)

Notice that the entire string "blockname=path\\filename" is enclosed in quotes.

Also, you don't have to include the ".dwg" after the filename (but it's okay if you do).